I was trying to think of how to word a post on this topic...and Randy you pretty much summed up my feelings exactly, and better than anything I was coming up with to post.

 

I have a different definition of courage I guess. In a "pro-homosexual" atmosphere in a time today when someone speaks against homosexuality they are shouted down as "homo-phobic", "backwards", "redneck", etc...I don't find him to be particularly courageous. Sorry, I just don't.

 

To the bolded, they're called that, because that's what they are....:idunno:

To the bolded, they're called that, because that's what they are....:idunno:

 

And...in all of about 1 minute...you just proved my point.

While I am opposed to homosexuality, I can also recognize that there was courage involved in what Sam did. However, I don't believe it is anywhere comparable to Pat Tillman, Nelson Mandela, the 4 guys who helped bring down United Flight 93, Arthur Ashe himself, & some of the others who have been awarded in the past.

Perfectly sums up my opinion as well.

I suppose my definition would be to do something selfless. This isn't that in my opinion.

I'll be curious to see how much playing time Sams gets. 7th rounders sometimes do not even make the cut.

When I was in high school long ago, there were three different guys who it was pretty clear were gay...not that we really knew what that meant. One we just thought of as a girl, because he always hung out with girls, one other we called cowgirl because he always wore cowboy kind of disco shirts, and the other we were even less "sensitive" to. Looking back, I am not proud of any of these moments, and I am quite certain there were those not nearly as sensitive as my group was. In reality, all these guys seemed to be pretty nice people and deserved no abuse. Things have changed, but not in every venue. While I may not be able to relate to this orientation, I respect a person who is "happy in their own skin", and as long as that infringes upon no one else's right, is willing to be open and honest about it despite the potential of negative repercussions.

He received the same award they did, so the award givers are the ones who initially made the comparison. Myself and others disagree with that comparison.

 

So in the last year who is more deserving of the award than Michael Sam?

^ Heroes

Heroes are one thing and I agree they all were heroes. That is not how I would describe Sams.

 

Something that has never been brought up and I wonder why,is this... People claim he was so brave and courageous for talking about his sexual preference as if it were a big surprise. Yet I wonder if it really was a surprise or if his teammates among others didn't already know? I would bet it was no surprise to the people around him, so what makes it so brave what he did?

 

Am I brave for announcing publicly that I am a heterosexual? Today it isn't looked upon negatively to be gay as it was 30 years ago. Nothing brave in my mind what he did.

 

No one can convince me that nobody knew he was gay before he made his announcement which makes me wonder why it was so brave of him.

 

Just don't see it worthy if winning an award that has been given to the previous recipients.

I was trying to think of how to word a post on this topic...and Randy you pretty much summed up my feelings fairly closely, and better than anything I was coming up with to post.

 

I have a different definition of courage I guess than some others do. In a "pro-homosexual" atmosphere in a time today when someone speaks against homosexuality they are shouted down as "homo-phobic", "backwards", "redneck", etc...I don't find him to be particularly courageous. Sorry, I just don't.

 

I keep seeing pro-homosexual atmosphere being tossed around. I think it is more about being tolerant than being pro-homosexual. People are either tolerant or they aren't. If me not being bothered by Sam receiving an ESPY for courage makes me pro-homosexual then so be it. I don't care who he has sex with by it definitely takes courage to be gay in today's society let alone an aspiring professional athlete. He told the story of the kid he encountered who wanted to kill herself because of being gay. Michael Sam's story encouraged her to accept herself as she is and at the end of the day that's all homosexuals are asking for.

 

I know self proclaimed homophobes and they say things similar to your last sentence. That's why when people shout it down they get that label. Fair or not it is what it is. It's kind of like when a person doesn't agree with a conservative viewpoint they get labeled a liberal who is ruining the country.

So in the last year who is more deserving of the award than Michael Sam?

Jack Foley would be one that comes to mind, and remember the recipient doesn't have to be something that occured in the last 12 months I believe.

So in the last year who is more deserving of the award than Michael Sam?

 

Me...if this award is limited to sports figures/those involved in sports...I am sure there are dozens of coaches out there who every day help struggling youth find their way in life under all sorts of circumstances...youth players who struggle and tirelessly fight every day circumstances like physical disability, abuse, homelessness, sickness, etc. just to have the enjoyment of a few minutes of sports. College and pro players who you never hear about but go far out of their way to help those that need help or maybe can't help themselves. Dozens who have done tireless, selfless work on behalf of others in the sporting community.

 

Now, maybe the above people I describe don't meet the "requirements" to be eligible for the award, I don't know. But I would recognize people like I described with some sort of award before I would Sams.

I keep seeing pro-homosexual atmosphere being tossed around. I think it is more about being tolerant than being pro-homosexual. People are either tolerant or they aren't. If me not being bothered by Sam receiving an ESPY for courage makes me pro-homosexual then so be it. I don't care who he has sex with by it definitely takes courage to be gay in today's society let alone an aspiring professional athlete. He told the story of the kid he encountered who wanted to kill herself because of being gay. Michael Sam's story encouraged her to accept herself as she is and at the end of the day that's all homosexuals are asking for.

 

I know self proclaimed homophobes and they say things similar to your last sentence. That's why when people shout it down they get that label. Fair or not it is what it is. It's kind of like when a person doesn't agree with a conservative viewpoint they get labeled a liberal who is ruining the country.

 

Or when a conservative doesn't agree with a liberal viewpoint they get labeled as a dumb uneducated dolt who want all the poor people to die?

Jack Foley would be one that comes to mind, and remember the recipient doesn't have to be something that occured in the last 12 months I believe.

 

 

Who is Jack Foley?

 

I couldn't tell you the rhyme or reasoning behind who gets the award but seeing as how they are done yearly I'm thinking doing something considered courageous in the year time frame helps.

Me...if this award is limited to sports figures/those involved in sports...I am sure there are dozens of coaches out there who every day help struggling youth find their way in life under all sorts of circumstances...youth players who struggle and tirelessly fight every day circumstances like physical disability, abuse, homelessness, sickness, etc. just to have the enjoyment of a few minutes of sports. College and pro players who you never hear about but go far out of their way to help those that need help or maybe can't help themselves. Dozens who have done tireless, selfless work on behalf of others in the sporting community.

 

Now, maybe the above people I describe don't meet the "requirements" to be eligible for the award, I don't know. But I would recognize people like I described with some sort of award before I would Sams.

 

 

That's you. You have no control over the Arthur Ashe Award though.

Or when a conservative doesn't agree with a liberal viewpoint they get labeled as a dumb uneducated dolt who want all the poor people to die?

 

 

What liberal on here has said that? That's a rules violation that should be dealt with.